Bongbong Marcos opposes gov’t job cuts to save funds – Tulfo

First Cabinet meeting under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Screenshot from RTVM

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is cool with a proposal to reduce the size of the government workforce to reduce national spending in the wake of the pandemic, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo said Tuesday.

According to Tulfo, Marcos Jr. stressed during their first Cabinet meeting that it was important to prevent unemployment.

“‘We don’t want anyone out of job at this point’- Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. on his very first meeting with his Cabinet in Malacañang,” Tulfo shared in a Facebook post.

“Ito sagot ng Pangulo matapos i-prisinta ang ideya sa kanya na magbawas siguro ng tao para makatipid ang gobyerno sa ilalim ng pandemic recovery,” he added.

(This was the response of the President after he was presented with the idea of maybe reducing the government workforce to lower spending amid pandemic recovery.)

Tulfo lauded this move of Marcos Jr. as “pro-people.”

Screenshot of DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo’s Facebook post

Meanwhile, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said their first Cabinet meeting was “very productive.”

“The President focused on matters of primary importance: controlling inflation, ensuring food security, supporting the transportation sector, and re-opening of face-to-face classes,” Guevarra said in a text message.

“Other areas of concern will be discussed in subsequent meetings of the Cabinet,” he added.

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KGA/abc